Naomi Hunte reported ‘killer bully’ to police four times

Naomi Hunte, 41, was found lying dead on her sofa with blood covering her flat on February 14, 2022. 

In the months before her death Naomi had made four complaints to police saying Carl Cooper had harassed her. 

Cooper, 66, of Broadfield Road in Hither Green, was later arrested on suspicion of Naomi’s murder but was released under investigation. 

It is alleged that he then went on to murder 48-year-old Fiona Holm just 16 months later. 

Cooper is now on trial accused of murdering Naomi and Fiona, he denies the charges. 

READ MORE: 'Lewisham bully murdered girlfriend then killed again - her body was never found'

Opening the trial on Tuesday (June 4), prosecutor Joel Smith said: “Ms. Hunte was a vulnerable lady – you will hear that there is evidence that she was a drug user and the relationship with Mr Cooper was plainly not a happy one.” 

She first contacted police about Cooper at around 5pm on November 4, 2020, the jury were told. 

Naomi told officers Cooper was refusing to leave and was grabbing her arms, but when police attended two days later she said she did not wish to make a complaint and had been drunk when she called. 

Then a few weeks later on November 24, Naomi called police again to say Cooper had been harassing her, Mr Smith said. 

She told the police his behaviour was getting worse and she was scared of him, the jury were told. 

Mr Smith said Naomi also told officers she had not followed through with her previous complaint because she believed Cooper had gone away. 

Mr Smith said: “By this point, you may feel, a pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour was beginning to emerge.” 

However, Naomi said she did not wish to provide police with a statement or attend court. 

Around six months later Naomi told police Cooper was harassing her and had been to her address and kicked the door. 

Finally, in October 2021 Naomi told police Cooper had come to her flat wanting sex and when she had refused he had lost his temper, Mr Smith said.  

“She said that his behaviour towards her was getting worse – he was becoming more aggressive and more persistent. He was, she said, controlling and jealous,” Mr Smith said.  

"You may find her final complaint – that he had lost his temper when pestering her for sex – particularly chilling when we come to consider the condition in which her body was found, with the button and zip of her trousers undone." 

Fiona Holm, whose body has never been found, also complained to police about Cooper, the jury were told. 

Mr Smith said Fiona had phoned police from Cooper’s home in Hither Green in April 2023.  

She told police Cooper had threatened her with a crowbar and had previously stabbed her with a screwdriver.  

He was arrested and interviewed then released without charge on April 12, 2023. 

Mr Smith said it seems Fiona withdrew her support for the prosecution.  

Fiona Holm (Image: Met Police)

In June 2023 one of Fiona’s friends said he came to her house demanding to see Fiona and claiming to have a knife, Mr Smith told the jury. 

Prosecutor Mr Smith said: "Cooper is a man with a predilection to control women – particularly the two deceased women – and prone to violence when challenged. He is, in short, a callous bully and a killer." 

The trial continues.